In Reading, we’ve turned our attention to non-fiction texts and the ways in which they help us to take charge! We’ve explored the differences between fiction and non-fiction and discussed their features.
Non-fiction can be read in any order to learn about a specific topic. Most non-fiction books help you to find your way around with some helpful features you wouldn’t normally find in a fiction book…
- contents – The contents page (sometimes called the table of contents) lists the sections of information in the book and where to find them, often with a page number.
- glossary – Usually found at the back of the book, the glossary contains key words related to the topic and their definitions. This can help with unknown, technical vocabulary.
- index – An index is an alphabetical list of all the topics covered in the book and where to find them. This helps the reader locate information quickly.
- subheading – A subheading is a bit like a signpost. It gives the reader an idea of what each section is about. It can also capture your attention – a bit like a mini headline!
We really enjoyed exploring some non-fiction books, using the features above to find information quickly and efficiently.
Help at home by exploring some non-fiction text with your child. Encourage them to navigate the text using the contents, index, glossary and subheadings.